BIG RETURN — Cowgirl senior Courtney Anderson returns a shot during play in Great Falls this past week. Playing mostly in the number three seed position, Anderson had a good week on the courts going 10-1. I-O Photo by Pat Lee

Tuesday the tennis teams were in the Electric City to play some serious tennis with the Class AA teams of CMR and Great Falls High.

Thursday Class A Hardin stopped by Conrad on the way to the Cut Bank duals.

Both teams were decimated by the District Music Festival, but nonetheless played on with what they had. The boys lost 1-6 in the dual, playing 10 slots with four players.

By the end of the meet Knox, Martin, and Padilla had played three matches each and were tired, but better for the effort.

The girls’ team defeated Hardin 5-2 placing a very strong showing in girls singles, led by Warlick, Fetters and Anderson.

On Friday all the players not in the Music Festival were in Great Falls.

The ladies had a good showing at the Class B round robin meet hosted by Fairfield and Fort Benton. The men played GFH and CMR JV teams.

“It is great to get the kids on the court. Playing time makes all of the difference when it comes down to a close match.

The players who get more court time have more experience and add depth to our team, win or lose,” commented Coach Greg Jensen.

Saturday the teams ended their week of play and no practice as they traveled to Great Falls again.

The JV boys and girls played JV teams for CMR and GFH in singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches.

The kids had a fun day of competition with Stefan Sommer and Kurtis Janzen, assistant coaches.

“They were able to be on the courts and develop their skills,” said Sommer, who went on to add, by the end of Friday and Saturday our kids definitely had improved their game.”

Saturday the girls’ varsity attended the Class B Duals in Great Falls.

Again the ladies proved to be deep in the roster, but also realized they have to solidify a doubles team to truly compete with the stronger teams across the state.

The girls went 3-1 in their four duals, tying Chinook 3-3 defeating Whitehall and Choteau 6-0 and Fort Benton 5-1.

The girls’ singles squad is deep and strong, with number one seed Warlick going 4-0, number two seed Fetters ending 3-1, and the number three and four seeds, Anderson and Rodriguez also going undefeated at 4-0.

Doubles players Emily Weisgram and Morgan VanDyke finished the day 2-2 and the number two seed Lamb and Fladstol going 3-1.

Coach Kendall Griggs said, “Though the teams did not get good practice time in on individual basic skills in the last week, they were tested in the areas of endurance and mental toughness. They had to figure out how to fight through and lay on the court, something we cannot practice.”

The JV team played Cut Bank on Tuesday and the girls faced off with Fairfield, Choteau and C-JI on Thursday. The girls will also attend a dual meet with Townsend, Cut Bank and Choteau on Good Friday in Cut Bank.